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Drama-Filled Marve Saga At UM Comes To An End

Tribune photo by JIM REED

Robert Marve returned to Plant in December to cheer his former team against Armwood in the state playoffs.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2008

TAMPA - Robert Marve's University of Miami football career didn't last long, but it was filled with drama.

It included a late-night car accident that nearly claimed his life and forced him to miss the 2007 season. As a redshirt freshman, he was named the season-long starter by Coach Randy Shannon, but was suspended for two games.

•The season opener, a retroactive penalty dating to his arrest on Oct. 31, 2007, on two misdemeanor charges.

•Saturday's Emerald Bowl - because he missed an English class (Marve said he was late because he was speaking with another professor).

Marve completed 116 of 213 passes for 1,293 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Freshman Jacory Harris, who played in every game, started the Emerald Bowl and was named UM's No. 1 quarterback heading into the spring.

"I knew I was gone before the second suspension," Marve said. "That just made it final. I loved being a Hurricane. It was all like I thought it would be, except for coaching-wise."

Marve blamed a lack of communication with Shannon for Tuesday's decision to transfer from UM. He emphasized his friendship with Harris, but he said the two-quarterback arrangement "probably wasn't fair for either of us."

Robert Weiner, Marve's high school coach at Plant, said the player's communication with Shannon became "null and void" and that hindered interaction with offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, who was fired Monday.

"Shannon didn't give Robert the time of day," Weiner said. "Robert Marve is not a perfect person and he takes responsibility for the suspensions, but I haven't seen Mr. Discipline take him into his office and try to teach some life lessons.

"High school coaches send their players to places they trust, where the kids will be taken care of, where they will learn some football. I don't trust Miami or trust the head coach. And I don't think they teach great football, either."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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